Clean water, sanitation and good hygiene is a human right. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, they lead healthier and more successful lives. We don’t just build wells and walk away. Rotary members integrate water, sanitation, and hygiene into education projects. When children learn about disease transmission and practice good hygiene, they miss less school. And they can take those lessons home to their families, expanding our impact.
Clean water is a basic human right that many are often denied. There are 2.5 billion people in the world that lack access to improved sanitation and 748 million people that don’t have clean drinking water. Nearly 1400 children die each day from diseases caused by lack of sanitation and unsafe water. When people have access to clean water, they live healthier and more productive lives.
President's Report
No President's Report this week. Liz is still on some well earned leave and is cruising, relaxing, and having fun with family. We all hope that Liz has a great trip and that she is still enjoying every second.
LAST CLUB MEETING
Our Guest Speaker last week was Annette Cam, President of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society Management Committee. Her presentation was a most interesting and enthralling explanation of the efforts of the Conservation Society in the Mountains and all of the work and battles they have undertaken in their roles.
The Society issues newsletters called "The Hut News" which is issued each month. the Marcg version of The Hut News can be seen HERE.
The Society's webpage can be seen HERE. A lot of information has been accrued over the historyb of the workings of the Conservation Society and its predecessors. Well worth having a look at the two sites.
Monday 23rd March - Former Exchange students speaking at our Club (see speakers)
Tuesday 24th March - Dcaf at the Sports Club
Saturday 28th March - Jazz in the Gardens (Norman Lindsay Gallery) BBQ & Parking 11.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Wednesday 1st April - Men's Morning Tea (new venue)
Wednesday 1st April - BMGS Cross Country, BBQ, helpers needed.
Friday 3rd April - Ori Raffle night
2. MORNING TEA FUNDRAISER FOR GRACE'S PLACE HELD AT THE SINGH'S
The Morning Tea for Grace's Place was held last Monday 16th March. Despite it being a work day for many of us, it was a really successful event and raised over $2400 towards the purchase of a ride-on mower for Grace's Place.
We are very grateful to Archana and Satya Singh who hosted this event at their now sold house and just before they move back to India permanently. Their ongoing generosity at sharing their house for events for our Club is hugely appreciated.
We also cannot go past the outstanding contributions from Valda Bray who organised the event. We thank Valda for her tirless commitment to this event and many others.
A message from Valda Bray...
A very big thank you to all who supported our morning tea function on Monday. We raised over $2,400.00 towards Geoffrey Glasscock's dream of buying Grace's place a ride on lawn mower. In addition, we collected 16 beautiful quilts for the children's beds, a lovely furnished dolls house, and books and toys.
This wouldn't have been possible without member's support. A special thank you to our hosts, Archana and Satya Singh, and their generous friends, members of our club and their friends, who came along or made a donation to the cause, and all who contributed quilts. There will be 16 little souls who, will benefit in their time of upheaval, from your support.
Finally, I want to thank all who worked tirelessly on Monday serving, taking money, setting and cleaning up, and to Bill, our tireless treasurer, who counted all the money!
Rotary at its best.
Valda Bray
To view the photos from the Morning Tea, please click on the Photo Album below...
3. BMGS COSS COUNTRY EVENT - WEDNESDAY 1st APRIL 2026
A gentle reminder: We still need volunteers to assist in the running of the Blue Mountains Grammar School Cross Country BBQ to be held on Wednesday 1 April from 8.30am to 2pm at the School in Wentworth Falls. An email detailing the event has been sent out to all and responses have been trickling in, but many of our Club members are still working full-time and cannot assist on this mid-week event. Could our retired Members and Friends please consider whether they can spend a few hours up at the School to assist those of us who have already volunteered, and email me at bdwood@bigpond.net.au if you can. Your Club needs you.
Cheers
Frank Ross and Bruce Wood
4. BUNNINGS BBQ, SATURDAY 21st MARCH 2026
Another happy event run by our Club!! Two teams of members and Friends managed the BBQ which generated a great feeling from the public towards our Club. Lots of conversations and donations happened as well as the sale of our sausages on rolls. We even met a beautiful Border Collie named Max, whose Dad was very proud to show us how obedient Max was. Who could resist giving Max one of our sausages?
First Shift
Second Shift
5. SPRINGWOOD ROTARY DONATIONS SURVEY
On behalf of President Liz and your Board we're inviting you to complete a short survey to identify your preferred organisations and charities for our Club to support. Your feedback is completely voluntary and to support decision making by the Board - it doesn't mean all of these causes will receive our support or otherwise. If worthy opportunities present themselves during the year they can be brought forward by members and considered by the Board at that time.
We are about to launch an exciting $5 for $5000 raffle and in addition to our regular excellent events, our ability to support good causes continues to be a highlight for us all. Please share your thoughts on how this good can be shared.
We would appreciate if you could complete the survey as soon as you receive it but no later than 30/3.
Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. Rotary is recognised globally as one of the most effective, transparent, and accountable service organisations. For more than 120 years, Rotary club members have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects.
Your Board is keen to get your views on what the money we raise together can be used for - not selecting a charity or organisation does not mean it won't be a beneficiary.
Rachel Pagitz
Public Image Chair
6. CENTURION DONATIONS
It's that time of the year again!
This is another message asking those who haven't yet made a payment of $100.00 to the foundation, as a Centurion fund contribution, to think about it in the next few weeks. Treasurer Bill has contacted me with the cutoff date on 20th April.
This is entirely up to each member, but the Foundation is the basis of Rotary, and we are able to apply for grants to help our fundraising efforts, Locally, Nationally and Internationally. To those who have contributed this year a big thank you.
Bank details are: The Rotary club of Springwood Inc. Community Account
BSB: 112-879
Account number: 098876456
Thank you
Valda Bray
Foundation Chair
7. GUEST SPEAKER FOR 30.3.2026
Our guest speaker who will speak to us on 30th March is Andrea Comastri. He will be speaking about Hotel Entico and its innovative model to train and employ young people with disability in hospitality and independent living skills, helping build careers and a life of inclusion. He will be talking about their model, their history, their impact and their industry partnership approach as well as the Long Run To Inclusion.
The Long Run To Inclusion which he will refer to as well was held from 8-21 March and the fact that thet were fundraising to create more jobs for young people with disability.
STORIES FROM ROTARY...
1. ROTARY INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN'S AWARDS (RIWA)
2. ROTARY D9685 SOFT LAUNCH OF THE 2026 NSW RESCA AWARDS VIDEO
Please see the attached launch letter and a link to the Soft Launch of the 2026 NSW RESCA Awards (Rotary Emergency Services and Community Awards) to be sent to the Agency representatives for distribution to their relevant Commissioners and media departments for promotion of the awards to get nominations.
3. JOIN US IN BEAUTIFUL MUDGEE FOR THE 2027 DISTRICT CONFERENCE!
You're Invited to a Weekend Away in Mudgee at the Rotary District 9685 Conference 2027 – Mudgee - Connect. Collaborate. Celebrate.
We are delighted to officially announce the 2027 Rotary District 9685 Conference, taking place from Friday, 12 March to Sunday, 14 March 2027 at the beautiful Parklands Resort, Mudgee.
This will be a weekend to Connect, Collaborate and Celebrate Rotary together in one of NSW’s most stunning wine regions.
Whether you are reconnecting with old friends, discovering new ideas for your club, or simply enjoying Rotary fellowship, this conference promises to be one of the highlights of the Rotary year.
Conference Highlights
🤝 Friday – Connect
Reconnect with Rotarians and friends from across the district.
💡 Saturday – Collaborate
A full day of ideas, learning and shared experiences.
🍷 Saturday Afternoon – Country Fair
Local artisans, food and Mudgee wines in a relaxed setting.
🎶 Saturday Night – Bush Dance
Prizes for the best decorated table and a Boot Decorating Competition!
🎉 Sunday – Celebrate
Celebrate Rotary, friendships and the year ahead.
4. ROTARY CLUBS PROVIDE CLEAN WATER IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
On World Water Day, 22 March, we reflect on the many ways Rotary members are helping to provide clean water, sanitation, and improved hygiene year-round. In this roundup, we look at one of the first global grants awarded by Rotaract members in Ghana, which installed 80 microflush toilets, drilled two boreholes, and built 10 urinals for eight schools in the Ashanti region. Other projects include rainwater collection and purification for Indigenous communities in Mexico, sand dams for farmers in Kenya, and a water purification plant for a hospital in the Dominican Republic. Learn more about these projects.
5. EPIC DAY OF SERVICE
Picture the incredible power of every club in the South Pacific coming together, each taking on a project that ignites their passion, all on the same day! Imagine the energy as we unite to make a difference and reveal Rotary’s true impact within our communities.
In 2025, Rotarians, Rotaractors, and community partners from five continents, eight countries, twenty states, fifty-seven districts, and 539 clubs joined forces in 613 projects, with 6,557 volunteers serving together.
Nine of those clubs were in Rotary South Pacific—just think how much greater our impact will be if we step up even further in 2026. The possibilities are limitless, and the ripple effect of our service can inspire real, lasting change!
Click on the image below to read the article in the Rotary Magazine, Jabuary 2026.
Save the Date: 16 May 2026 - Epic Day of Service
Do a project you’re already doing, just do it on 16 May 2026 and leverage the power of Rotary for global impact. Take this to your clubs, have a think about one of your current projects that you could action on the Epic Day of Service.
Epic Day of Service and Rotary South Pacific had a webinar on 28 January 2026. The webinar created great discussion on how we can implement this in our local clubs and community groups and have EVERY CLUB in the zone participate.
This is your moment—let’s come together, dream bigger, and make 2026 an Epic Day of Service that echoes across the world. Be a part of something bold. Be a part of something EPIC!
We are unable to offer the fundraising component to clubs in our zone in 2026 due to our tax laws, and we are aiming to have this online for Epic Day of Service 2027.
6. DISTRICT 9685 GOVERNOR PARTNER PROJECT
I (DG Michele Ellery) am very fortunate that I have a husband, David, who is just as passionate as I am in advocating for Mental Illness. Please consider supporting the funding of a PhD scholarship, to continue the vital research into mental illness in children aged 0–12 years.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK...
“I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” — Henry David Thoreau
Acknowledgement of Country
We would like to acknowledge the Gundungurra and Dharug peoples past, present and emerging as the traditional owners of the land where our Club resides and pay our respects to them.
